Arkansas Lands Beck

Nowata (Okla.) High lineman Austin Beck (6-8, 300, 5.3) became the University of Arkansas' fourth commit of the 2011 recruiting class when he pledged to sign with the Razorbacks on Saturday.

Not only did the University of Arkansas wrap up a successful spring practice on Saturday, but the Razorbacks also hauled in a targeted recruit.

Nowata (Okla.) High lineman Austin Beck (6-8, 300) – who could play on either the offensive or defensive line for the UA – committed on Saturday night.

He did so while in Fayetteville to watch the Razorbacks' Red-White game, which had an announced crowd of 30,000.

"My dad and I had been talking about committing earlier, but I wanted to get my mom over here and let her see it before doing that," Beck said. "I love the place, Arkansas is really headed places and all of the players over here just seem so happy. I just don't think there could be a better place for me."

Beck has been recruited by Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee, defensive line coach Bobby Allen and new offensive line coach Chris Klenakis.

"I just feel so comfortable with all those coaches and it is only like 2 hours and 15 minutes or 2 hours and 30 from my house," Beck said. "It just seems like a perfect match for me.

"I have a great relationship with Coach McGee and he did such a great job recruiting me and getting me interested in coming to Arkansas," Beck added. "I also really like Coach Allen, who I have gotten, who seems to really care. I also really like the O-line coach. He invented the pistol and just really knows his stuff."

If there was a runner-up, it was Illinois.

"I knew that Arkansas was where I wanted to go, but Illinois does have a great program as well and I was really impressed when I went up there to visit," Beck said. "But I am just more impressed with Arkansas and it is so much closer and it's just the best situation."

Beck made an unofficial visit earlier in the spring before practice started, but the Red-White contest was actually his first view at an Arkansas "game."

"The weather wasn't the best, but that didn't keep the fans from coming out and being really supportive," Beck said. "That really impressed me.

"With the game, all the players really seem to play hard and have fun," Beck added. "It was just really great to see and think I am going to be one of those guys out there in the future."

The fact that Arkansas is a relatively young team isn't lost on Beck.

"There seem to be a lot of young players playing big roles and a lot of depth," Beck said. "They seem to have great players at every spot. I just want to be a part of that."

When Beck took his first visit to Arkansas on March 18, he was blown away.

"Outrageous," Beck said. "Arkansas' facilities are just outrageous. There are not many colleges even close. I was definitely impressed."

One thing about the coaches really stood out to Beck.

"Every single coach took the time to come up and shake my hand and spend time with me," Beck said. "Almost every player, too. They all seem so happy to be there and it seems like a great environment to be a part of at Arkansas."